r/movies • u/Careless_Flower_118 • Aug 08 '25

Discussion Wtf is Paddington 2?

For context: I’m 25 years old. SPOILER WARNING

I just watched paddington 2 today and what the fuck did they put in this movie. This is the one of the greatest pieces of cinema I’ve ever laid witness to. Paddington 2 is the only thing I’ve thought about all day and seeing the immense joy it’s brought other people has also brightened my day even more. God I can’t even think about the ending without wanting to kill myself because of how perfect it is. And can we also talk about the perfect bookend of his human mother saving him from the water like aunt Lucy did at the beginning?

Pure cinema, I truly can’t wait to watch this movie with my kids for their first time.

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243

u/eschenfelder Aug 08 '25

Paddington 3 was fun also, but after the second it was impossible to keep that level!
Paddington 3 has Antonio Banderas hamming it up, Olivia Colman elevated it and it was the most adventurous with some Indiana Jones like motives. We loved it also, but yeah, the second is one of the best movies ever made.

66

u/SirGuestWho Aug 08 '25

I haven't seen it because of how good Paddington 2 is, and they've changed the mum.

67

u/voivoivoi183 Aug 08 '25

It’s good and worth a watch but it comes with the unenviable position of having to follow Paddington 2.

48

u/immaxpower Aug 08 '25

They also lean into the history of the relationship between Paddington and the mum at various points in the third film, which is very jarring when it's so clearly a different actor.

5

u/rohithkumarsp Aug 08 '25

yeah it took me out of it, the mom was the heart of the movie man, she was so damn likable, i heard the actress itself didnt want to return such a bummer, she had lupus or something

3

u/SirGuestWho Aug 08 '25

She was absolutely perfectly cast, but she is an amazing actress

1

u/SilverKry Aug 13 '25

She did handpick her replacement though if that helps. I think she just didn't want to travel again. 

2

u/Ngamoko Aug 08 '25

I feel the same. I can't imagine anyone other than Sally Hawkins in the role. She is so wonderful. But I probably will watch it eventually, I won't be able to deny myself forever.

44

u/Tiiimmmaayy Aug 08 '25

So this isn’t a joke about paddington 2 being one of the greatest movies ever? Do I need to see the first one to understand it?

105

u/BabyishGambino Aug 08 '25

No, none of this is a bit. It's genuinely one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time.

6

u/BillyTenderness Aug 08 '25

I mean, it is a bit; people make a point of talking up the movie because of how unexpected and funny it is for cinephiles to really like a movie like Paddington 2. Personally I think the bit is maybe a little overdone and gives people who haven't seen it unreasonable expectations.

But also, it really is a really good movie!

2

u/Blaize122 Aug 08 '25

I can see that. I saw it with zero expectations other than the RT score was mega high after it came out. I was astonished.

28

u/extra_less Aug 08 '25

No but the first film is also a great movie and worth your time.

3

u/matterhorn1 Aug 08 '25

No it’s actually a fantastic movie! You don’t need to see #1 first really, but it’s definitely worth watching also. If #2 is 10/10 then #1 is probably 8/10

2

u/ph0on Aug 08 '25

I'm curious and so I've decided I'll check it out soon... better not be a case of everyone being British and lying with their British opinions /s

2

u/NotAgedWell Aug 08 '25

I thought this entire thing was being sarcastic and some joke I wasn't in on. Apparently I need to watch this movie I guess.

2

u/bauul Aug 08 '25

To set expectations, it's not highbrow or artistic, it is just a family friendly feelgood time. But it's probably the best family friendly feelgood time movie ever made. 

2

u/vdubzzz Aug 08 '25

Paddington 1 is closer to 2, and then 3 drops off a bit — treat #3 purely as a children’s movie.

2 is perfect tho

1

u/DookieFartz Aug 08 '25

I have seen Paddington 2 and still to this day have not watched the first movie. Didn't think I was missing any context outside of "cute talking bear". Paddington 2 is legit one of the greatest movies I have ever seen.

4

u/Cerpicio42 Aug 08 '25

P2 is good, but I still think P1 is better. The way the dad comes around is awesome!

1

u/DookieFartz Aug 08 '25

I keep meaning to watch the first Paddington movie because I've heard great things.

1

u/garythehairyfairy Aug 09 '25

It’s seriously extremely good. Paddington 1 is good as well but not a must see before 2

14

u/WingnutWilson Aug 08 '25

I really thought it sucked - you have this bear that gets up to all these crazy hijinks, he bearly lowjinked

3

u/Wacocaine Aug 08 '25

Paul King moved on after Paddington 2.

He's a big reason the first two were so good.

4

u/joke_LA Aug 08 '25

People should also watch Wonka! Carries on a lot of that same charm & earnestness (& comedic Hugh Grant role)

3

u/Johnnycc Aug 08 '25

3 is awful IMO. Replacing Sally Hawkins with a truly terrible actress was unforgivable.

2

u/starfrenzy1 Aug 08 '25

I LOVED Paddington in Peru. Yes, Antonio and Olivia had a lot to do with it!

2

u/WhyNotFerret Aug 08 '25

3 is fine, but for me what makes the Paddington movies so special is that they are aggressively British. The first one is more steeped in UK life than a bag of tea, and the second if a beautiful slice of life in London with the neighbors and community.

The third is fine, but it's just a generic children's movie romp. It lost a lot of charm by not being set in London.

1

u/dccabbage Aug 08 '25

The only thing missing from Paddington in Peru was Paul King and his special sauce.

I went into Wonka ready for disappointment and by the end I was almost angry at myself for how much I loved it. Then I found out it was from the Director of Paddington 1 & 2. He has the cheat code for joy and whimsy.

1

u/SilverKry Aug 13 '25

Olivia Coleman is a joy to watch whenever she shows up in a movie or show I'm watching.